Walt Koranda, resident of Live Oak, died after a courageous battle with lung cancer on Thursday, July 19, 2007, at the Veteran's Hospital in Lake City, Florida. He was just shy of celebrating his 85th birthday with his family who loved him dearly.

His life began August 27, 1922 in Olweine, Iowa.He was the son of Henry Andrew Koranda and Rose Powlistha, children of immigrants from what was then called Bohemia. The family settled on a farm near Oxford Junction, Iowa. They were hard working and sustained themselves by chicken egg farming, fishing, and hunting. Because of this, they never went hungry -------even during the great depression.

Walt was a very handsome young man with ocean blue eyes that twinkled when he was up to something. Although he did not have a formal education, he was considered a genius by most, as he entertained himself with science, physics, and engineering projects. He had a love for building cars, motorcycles and gadgets and became a top-notch mechanic.

As he reached his early 20s, he joined the military and served in World War II with the Flying Tigers, a nickname for the American Volunteer Group (AVG), a group of United States Army, United States Navy, and United States Marine Corps pilots and ground crew, recruited under a secret presidentual sanction by Flying Tiger's leader, General Claire Chennault. Chennault formed this fighter group with three squadrons that trained in China and defended the Burma supply line to China, prior to the American entry into World War II to fight against Japanese forces. Walt's duties included all aircraft maintenance and additional duties assigned such as bridge building.

Just prior to the war, he met his wife Genevieve May Clampitt, who remained at his side for 52 years of marriage. They lived in Maquoketa, Iowa and raised seven children, which included two sets of twins. Walt worked as a well-known diesel mechanic in his own shop called 'Walt's Garage' and at Clinton Engines, while always helping with the children. For a time he dabbled with inventions which included the early version of cruise control, bug zappers, insect killing methods, infared heaters and seed planters, He built stock cars and worked on a pit crew for local drivers.

In his later years, Walt moved his family to Sebring, Florida where they had acres of orange trees and lots of small animals to keep the grandchildren busy. He continued working as a mechanic for a local fruit company maintaining their fleet of trucks.

When the kids were grown, Walt decided to move to Live Oak, where he could have a small garage for tinkering and be closer to family who had settled in Jacksonville. They lived happily in Live Oak until his wife Jenny passed away in 1995, on Mother's Day.

One year later, Walt married Myrtle Williams, and continued to live in Live Oak until the time of his death.

In Live Oak he continued to be active in the American Legion, Post 107, recently presenting the American flag at Memorial Day Services. The American Legion was important to him. He had many friends and projects there.

Walt is survived by his wife, Myrtle of Live Oak, Florida, brother Dale Koranda of Bellingham, Washington and his children and their spouses, Rosemary and Jack Dreessen of Wakela, Florida, Dennis and Ingrid Koranda of Sebring, Florida, Darrell and Kay Koranda of Sebring, Florida, Marilyn and Wade Durrance of Lake Placid, Florida, Dean and Debra Koranda of Jacksonville, Florida, Dawn and Bobby Robison of Jacksonville, Florida. He will also be missed by his seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren and several stepchildren. Walt's son Mark Koranda of Bradenton, Florida, unfortunately passed away two years ago.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in his honor;
The American Legion Post 107
Attn: Commander Buffinton
10726 142nd Street
Live Oak, Florida
32060